What to ask before the first dog walk
Ask about the dog, the home, and the people, in that order. Write the answers down the same day. Most problems on a first walk come from a question nobody asked, not from a dog nobody could handle.
Start with the dog
Ask what the dog is like on a leash. Ask what he does when he sees another dog, a bike, or a person he does not know. Ask what he is afraid of.
Then ask the question people forget: what has gone wrong before? Owners will tell you, but usually only if you ask plainly.
Then the home
You need to get in and out on your own. Ask how the door works. Ask about the lock, the alarm, and where the leash lives. Ask if anyone else may be home.
Try it once while the owner is standing there. A key that sticks is a small problem at the meet and greet and a big one at seven in the morning.
Then the people
Ask who to call if something happens, and who can make a decision if the owner does not pick up. Ask for the vet name and the vet phone number. Write them down even if you never use them.
Write it down the same day
You will remember all of it today. You will remember half of it next week, and you will have three more clients by then.
Keep it somewhere you can read on your phone at the door, not in a notebook at home. Gate codes and alarm codes should be kept somewhere private, not in a note anyone can see over your shoulder.
Common questions
How long should a meet and greet take?
About twenty minutes. Long enough to meet the dog, see how the leash and the door work, and write down what you learn. Longer than that and you are working for free.
Should I charge for a meet and greet?
Most walkers do not charge for the first one. It is how you decide whether to take the job, and the client is deciding the same thing about you.
Last updated 2026-08-21.